2013-08-02_REVISION - C1982057 (3)

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The (traditional) null hypothesis being tested would be that the bond release block mean (µ) was greater than or equal to 90% of the standard, stated as Ho µ >_ Q. If tc was less than or equal to the 1- tailed t table value for alpha error probability of 0.10, at (n -1) degrees of freedom, then Ho was not rejected, and revegetation was deemed successful Woody Plant Densitv Although woody plant density is not a parameter of interest in Phase 11 bond release testing, data were collected while in the field to assess /document progress toward the Phase 111 technical standard. (General background density ? 200 stems per acre). Shrub concentration areas such as may be Included in eventual bond release blocks are judged by a standard of 2000 stems per acre. Woody plant density sampling was undertaken in the area sampled for Phase II bond release but not in the reference areas. Samples were collected along 50 m transects All shrubs and subshrubs with root crowns located within the boundaries of 2 X 50 m quadrats (belt transects) were tallied according to species and life stage as either seedling, mature, or dead The presence of dead individuals was recorded but did not contribute to woody plant density calculations Climatic Data Precipitation data were collected at the Seneca IIW Mine during the period 1990 through 2009 For years 1982 through 1989, SCC provided precipitation data from the nearby Seneca II Mine Since the long -term average for the mine exists for only 25 years, the long -term average monthly precipitation data from the NOAA administered Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC) for the nearby town of Hayden (Station 053867) were used as an appropriate base for comparison Information on degree -days was based on temperature data from the met station 2 at the Seneca IIW Mine RESULTS Numerical data are found in Tables 1 through 11 of Appendix 1. Sample data from the 2009 revegetation monitoring studies at the Seneca II W Mine are presented in Tables 1 through 7 Sampling data are summarized in Table 8. Data on species density by lifeform are tabulated for sampled areas in Table 9. Data on relative cover by lifeform are compiled in Table 10 Statistical adequacy of sampling is reviewed in Table 11. The list of plant species observed during these studies (reclaimed and reference areas) is included as Table 12 in Appendix 2. Seed mixes used in the reclamation areas are included for reference in Appendix 3 Photographs of representative 7